Join out-of-town friends and family at their hotel for a holiday dinner

Nov. 17, 2012

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The Journal News

A table by the fire in the Oak Room at Equus restaurant at the Castle on the Hudson in Tarrytown is a great spot to slow down and enjoy the family over the holidays. / Tania Savayan/The Journal News

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When family is visiting for the holidays, there’s a whole lot of togetherness. And that’s on top of all the cooking, baking and entertaining you’re taking on. So one night, give yourself — and your out-of-town relatives — a break. Join them for dinner at their hotel, where everyone can enjoy a relaxing evening. Best part? After the meal, you’ll go home to a quiet house and they can retire to bed just a few steps away. And keep in mind, these spots are festively decorated for the holidays and can accommodate large crowds, making them perfect for holiday dinners, even if you’re not spending the night.

Marc Charles Steakhouse, La Quinta, Armonk

Marc Mazzarulli had a tough row to hoe when he took on the wildly outdated restaurant and lounge in Armonk’s La Quinta. The set up was not comfortable, with bare-bones dining areas scattered around a gigantic central bar. The decor was tacky — I vaguely remember a fake gas fireplace somewhere — and it was mostly filled with business guests from nearby IBM lining up for the free after-work buffet.

What a difference. Mazzarulli, who also owns nearby Opus 465, reimagined the space as swank but accessible, with deep red wallpaper and gleaming wood floors in the separate bar/lounge area and an upscale feel in the breezy dining room which has exposed brick, dark wood and large murals on the walls.

Known for: It’s a steakhouse, but Mazzarulli steps out of de rigeur with interesting appetizers — the Applewood BLT has fried tomato, arugula, bacon and pickled red onions with an avocado aioli — and stylish drinks . In true steakhouse fashion, there are lots of sides, called “accessories” here, from sauteed spinach to potatoes served a half dozen ways. Along with the beef, there are a handful of fish dishes, chicken and a Porterhouse Pork Chop.

Good for: You forget you’re in a hotel when dining here, so it’s a destination if you’re in the mood for a big steak dinner, meeting friends for drinks or entertaining out-of-town guests. The bar has its own menu, too, if you need a quick catch-me-up with a friend or a more casual dining experience.

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Don’t miss: Since no one wants a cookie-cutter steak, Mazzarulli encourages diners to “customize” their cut. Choose your steak and then apply one of the “Designer Accents,” which include rubs, butters, cheese and various sauces, from a shiraz demi glace to Hollandaise. You can also add “surf” as in lobster tails, crab legs or shrimp.

NoMa Social, Radisson Hotel, New Rochelle

With its mod, colorful interior — and executive chef Bill Rosenberg at the helm — this 125-seat restaurant-lounge in the recently renovated Radisson has emerged as one of Westchester’s hippest dining destinations. NoMa (for “north of Manhattan”), in the space formerly occupied by City Chow House, puts a priority on making diners feel comfortable. That means you’re encouraged to stretch out on the white banquettes and purple sofas, or take a seat at the sleek black tables, as you linger over cocktails and order all sorts of interesting dishes from the Mediterranean-inspired menu. Most are meant to be shared, which explains the word “Social.” The restaurant morphs into a club later in the evening, with an active bar scene and music that’s sometimes loud.

Known for: Small plates and wood-fired pizza. Rosenberg, former chef-owner of F.I.S.H., puts an interesting spin on every dish, from marinated anchovies to slow-braised tripe. Not everything is wildly exotic, though, and there are entrees (chicken, fish, steak) for those who don’t like the idea of tapas.

Don’t miss: The Tuna Flatbread with Wasabi Mascarpone has long been one of Rosenberg’s signature dishes. Also, try the Cippolini Onion Candy (roasted onions) and the ham and cheese croquettes.

Equus, Castle on the Hudson, Tarrytown

With exposed beams, stone fireplaces, mahogany furniture and crisp, white tablecloths — all inside a real, honest-to-goodness castle — Equus is up there as one of the most luxurious restaurants in Westchester. And to be honest, it has prices and a dress code to match. (Entrees are in the $40s and $50s, and jackets are preferred for men.) But, especially around the holidays, when the dining room is decorated with twinkling lights, greens and garlands, it’s a wonderful place to celebrate .

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Known for: Fancy, fancy, fancy. The new chef, Chiharu Takei, is from Japan, and attends to each detail on the plate artfully, combining colors and textures and decorating with delicate garnishes and sauces.

Good for: Grownups who want a quiet night out.

Don’t miss: Start the evening with a drink in the General’s Bar or by the fire in the Tapestry Lounge . May we recommend a Manhattan? Such a festive drink.

— Liz Johnson

Ruth's Chris Steak House, Marriott Westchester, Tarrytown

Mahogany-colored walls, white tablecloths, big steaks and chewy red wines. Sounds about right for a steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris is a great one to visit during the holidays; the restaurant gets all dressed up with twinkling lights.

Not that it isn’t always festive here. With the steakhouse-style menu, each diner can choose a main, and the table can share side dishes, which always loosens the mood a bit.

And if you’re at a loss for conversation, you can always bring up the interesting punctuation in the name. The story goes that Ruth Fertel bought Chris Steakhouse, but it had a contractual agreement to keep his name on the restaurant. She just added her name to the sign.

Known for: Steak, of course! But the original Ruth’s Chris was in New Orleans, so you’ll also find Southern touches on the menu, including shrimp remoulade and Louisiana Seafood Gumbo.

Good for: Grownups with a taste for straightforward, good food and a fondness for big wines.

Don’t miss: The sweet potato casserole. It’s sweet, but not too sweet, with a nice crunch. You’ll wish it were on your Thanksgiving table.

BLT Steak, Ritz-Carlton, White Plains

Just off the swank lobby of the Ritz, the large main dining room of the restaurant is pretty and modern, with soaring ceilings, flattering lighting and lots of glass and dark wood. There are about 35 well-spaced tables, with ample room for 130 diners. The attractive bar area has room for another 25 to 30, and there is also a private dining room that seats 40. Nearly a third of the diners are staying here at the Ritz. The menu and wine list are definitely on the steep side, but look for daily blackboard specials, including a three-course prix fixe dinner with sides for $60. A sommelier is always on duty, to help you negotiate the wine list.

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Known for: Steak, of course, all of it USDA Prime or 100 percent naturally raised certified Black Angus. You’ll also find a fair number of fish dishes, too, including Dover sole, a 2-pound Maine lobster and grilled branzino and tuna. Also known for their onion rings, coming at you in a fancy vertical stack.

Good for: You can bring the whole family, but this is a sophisticated space for adults. Perfect for a date or a meet-up with a small group of friends and family in town for the holidays.

Don’t miss: The signature popovers! We just love them — piping hot and as big as your head, loaded with Gruyere, and crispy and chewy all at the same time. They come with a vat of butter and an old-fashioned salt shaker. The desserts, all priced at $10, are pretty swell, too. On a recent weeknight, we loved a toffee cake special, dotted with dried dates and served with house-made mascarpone ice cream and peanut brittle.

Windsor Grille Restaurant & Lounge, Comfort Inn & Suites, Nanuet

The Windsor Grille, in the Comfort Inn on Route 59 just east of Route 304, is in a large hotel ballroom, divided by folding screens. Tables dot the space, and a long bar dominates one end of the room, with oversized TVs perfect for watching a game. But there’s more than that to the Grille, which hosts live music most Fridays, while chef Craig Hoffman’s kitchen churns out meals for room service and for the dining room, which is open every day but Sunday.

Known for: A good mix of fish, fowl and beef.

Good for: The long bar is good for an after-work drink, and there’s live music on Fridays.

Don’t miss: The horseradish-crusted beef tenderloin, served over a mushroom risotto cake, is a good choice, as is the open-faced chicken pot pie. Finish with the Caramel Apple Tart with Vanilla Ice Cream.